While proposed construction on a new criminal justice facility (including a 160 bed youth prison) is set to break ground this month, Detroit’s youth have innovative ideas for what could be built instead. DJC partnered with Teen Hype, 482Forward, Designing Justice + Designing Spaces and Detroit Summer for a Restorative Justice Youth Summit that brought out incredible community oriented designs.

Excerpt:

“Last Saturday on Detroit’s near east side, groups of teens sat huddled around tables talking about the future of their city. They were discussing something that normally doesn’t include the perspective of students — jails. Or, more specifically, what Detroit would look like if a restorative justice center was built instead of a new Wayne County Jail.

An alternative to the traditional criminal justice model that involves sending perpetrators to jail, restorative justice involves the perpetrator, victim, and wider community working together in the rehabilitation process. Carl Merriweather, a 16-year-old senior at University Prep Science and Math High School, envisioned a center called Detroit Living Care, where the perpetrator and victim up could be set up for a more positive future.”